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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 5
DELAY AND PURPOSE OF ALMA'S VISIT, VER. 1-12
Alma 5:2 Yea, by my own mouth, seeing that it is the first time that I have spoken unto you by the
words of my mouth, I having been wholly confined to the judgment seat, having had much business that
I could not come unto you;
Alma may have written to the churches while restrained from leaving the judgment seat, for he
said, "It is the first time that I have spoken unto you by the words of my mouth." He then mentions
giving up the duties of chief judge, and the awful dilemma in which he found the brethren in the
church at Zarahemla, and tells of his joy that those people "are established again in the way of his
righteousness" (4-6).
Alma 5:9 For behold, my joy cometh over them after wading through much afflictions and sorrow.
Alma anticipated joy in his associations with the church in Gideon, but hoped it would not come at
the cost he had paid in Zarahemla. “I trust that ye are not lifted up in ...pride. ..; have not set your
hearts upon riches, and the vain things of the world" (11) .He spoke with hope but not with the
conviction which came to him as he continued to preach to them.
TESTIMONY OF THINGS TO COME AND THE WORK OF CHRIST, VER.13-37
Alma 5:14 For behold, the time is not far distant, that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his
people.
Alma introduced his testimony with this significant statement: "There be many things to come;
and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance than they all" (13). The preface to the
Book of Mormon reveals that its main purpose is to convince "the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the
Christ." Perhaps no one gave a clearer or stronger testimony of his coming than that here given by
Alma. At first he makes it clear that he does not speak of Christ's visit to America while “in his
mortal tabernacle" (15). As a matter of history, he came here after his resurrection and ascension
(3 Nephi 4:74).
Alma 5:18 For behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of
the earth.
This is not an announcement, but a prediction (13). It was about 83 B.C. when Alma gave this
prophecy. He then enters into some of the clearest and most definite statements of the scriptures
concerning the Incarnation.
Alma 5:19 And behold, he shall be born of Mary at Jerusalem, which is the land of our forefathers, she
being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed, and conceive by the power of
the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God;